WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) released statements following the Committee’s passage of their International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2023. Passed by Senate in December 2022 with robust bipartisan support, this legislation seeks to reauthorize and enhance critical programming, policy, and funding essential to combatting human trafficking worldwide.
“Human trafficking remains a horrific reality for millions around the world as global conflict, threats to democracy, and migration crises continue to create desperate circumstances and place already vulnerable communities at even greater risk of exploitation,” said Chairman Menendez. “The passage of this urgent legislation represents our ongoing commitment to this important cause and a collective effort to expand U.S. government-backed prevention capacity and bolster tools to hold governments to account. I welcome the bipartisan support of my Senate colleagues and encourage the House to follow suit to ensure renewed U.S. leadership to combat the scourge of human trafficking worldwide.”
“In order to ensure human traffickers are properly investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable globally, Congress must ensure the State Department has the tools necessary to help support other countries,” said Ranking Member Risch. “The TVPRA will make critical reforms to increase oversight over U.S. anti-trafficking programs and help prevent further human trafficking.”
“Every day, millions of people around the world experience horrific suffering and trauma at the hands of human traffickers, including right in our neighborhood in the Western Hemisphere,” said Senator Kaine. “This bipartisan bill further empowers State and USAID to take action to combat trafficking, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. I urge my Senate colleagues to pass it on the Senate floor as soon as possible.”
“As the Senate Foreign Relations passes the bipartisan International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, we are reminded of the urgent global crisis human trafficking represents,” said Senator Rubio. This bill will provide important tools to better combat this crime and hold perpetrators accountable, I urge my Senate colleagues to swiftly pass this legislation.”
Background: Expanding upon the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, the senators’ legislation proposes reforms to bolster U.S. efforts relating to combating human trafficking, such as new requirements for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to integrate prevention efforts into broader global programming. Among other provisions, the legislation also amends the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act to ensure a nation’s commitment and progress toward implementing effective counter-trafficking measures are factors when determining recipients of U.S. development assistance.
Find a copy of the legislation HERE.
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